The doctor. Enderson Dantas Vital, specialist in clinical, surgical and congenital glaucoma, clarifies the main doubts on the subject
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2040, approximately 111.5 million people will suffer from glaucoma worldwide. Currently, there are approximately 80 million people with the disease. Expressive numbers are being discussed for National Glaucoma Day, which is marked on the calendar for May 26. This date was chosen to make Brazilians aware of the disease. In this sense, it is worth noting that it is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide and campaigns need to be disseminated with quality information. Therefore, the glaucoma specialist, Dr. Enderson Dantas Vital* answers the main questions.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease responsible for affecting the eyes of the individual. It is the result of an increase in intraocular pressure, also known as pressure inside the eyeball. Currently, the condition is present in about 1 million Brazilian men and women, according to data from the Brazilian Glaucoma Society.
“[Essa] It is an eye disease capable of causing blindness if not treated in time. It is a chronic disease that has no cure. But in most cases it can be treated with continued care.”
says Dr. Enderson Dantas Vital. The vision impairment in patients with this condition is the result of increased pressure in the eye which causes the destruction of the ganglion cells, these cells form the optic nerve. The structure is responsible for the connection between the eyes and the occipital brain. The latter is the wolf responsible for their visual perceptions (shape, movement, colors). It must be emphasized that, within the glaucoma disease, there are different types and forms of manifestation, it can be secondary, congenital, among others.
What are the types of glaucoma?
As you have seen, glaucoma can have different causes and forms of manifestation. The main types are:
- Chronic open angle glaucoma: this form of manifestation is found in about 80% of recorded cases, being more common;
- Acute glaucoma: this variation of the disease comes in the form of severe pain and nausea. In it the eye undergoes a sudden increase in pressure and is a case of emergency;
- Normal pressure glaucoma: in this case there is damage that causes vision to narrow, that is, the peripheral field begins to deteriorate;
- Secondary glaucoma: it is caused by diseases other than glaucoma. For example, it is related to illness and injury;
- congenital glaucoma: this variation manifests itself from the first months of life, in some cases the increase in ocular pressure can also occur during the gestation period.
Among these, the most serious form of manifestation is acute glaucoma. It has a fulminant effect on the region and can cause loss of vision within about 24 hours of the first symptoms. As you can see in this topic, the origin of glaucoma is varied. It can be from birth or manifest in the first years of life, however it can be caused by various factors.
What are the symptoms?
When this region suffers from the manifestation of the disease, the patient’s eyesight will start to fail at the very beginning. In general, they are unobtrusive and difficult to perceive. Even in many cases it is possible for glaucoma to have no symptoms. Thus, it can be said that the disease acts silently and unpredictably. However, you may be on the lookout for some signs, such as:
- gradual loss of vision;
- pain localized in the eye area;
- blurred visibility;
- redness and swelling around the eyes;
- vomiting and nausea;
- eyes that water too much;
- strong sensitivity to light exposure;
- cloudiness in the eye.
Are there any risk factors?
As you have seen, glaucoma can be a silent disease. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to possible risk factors. Among these are:
- people with elevated intraocular pressure;
- persons over the age of 60;
- family history;
- long-term use of corticosteroid drugs;
- eye diseases, such as cataracts, tumors and inflammation in general;
- conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, hyperthyroidism, and high blood pressure.
“People who have cases in the family are 10 times more likely to develop the disease,”
comments Dr. Enderson Dantas Vital. Therefore, prevention must be the watchword to avoid the evolution of a serious disease like this.
“The earlier the diagnosis, the better the chances of avoiding vision loss”
explains the doctor.
How is the diagnosis made?
Glaucoma is detected through an eye exam.
“Your doctor measures eye pressure and examines the fundus. When there is a suspicion of glaucoma, he requests additional tests”
, emphasizes the expert. Again according to the doctor, the most common tests that may be required to confirm or deny the hypothesis are: campimetry or visual field, retinography and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
What are the possible treatments?
Glaucoma treatment should be performed continuously, without interruptions. The main goal is to prevent the disease from progressing uncontrollably. But for it to be possible to control the condition there needs to be 100% commitment on the part of the patient and their doctor who will provide the guidelines. The options for medications and treatments are: eye drops, lasers, surgery, and injectable medications. The course of treatment should be decided by a specialist doctor. The patient should have his appointments regularly, as often as required by his doctor. Furthermore, it is essential not to hide symptoms or discomforts, talk to your family about possible difficulties and expose them to the office. Seek out an ophthalmologist and make a routine appointment to check your eye health. Glaucoma is a silent disease, but prevention shouldn’t be.
*Dr. Enderson Dantas Vital is an ophthalmologist who specializes in clinical and surgical glaucoma and congenital glaucoma (filtration surgeries and drainage tube implantation). | @oftalmocev
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
